Tribute to Alex Akinyele, bridge builder

CHIEF Alexzander Opayemi Akinyele, alias Aleco, was a public relations guru who succeeded through practical professional principles to survive the rocky times of disunity and peace in Nigeria. He even grew stronger afterwards before he passed to eternity on Friday, November 15 2019 at 81 years of age. The charisma he brought into the practice of public relations in Nigeria excelled that of those before him as president of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). The first president when it was established in 1963 was Dr. Sam Epelle of the famous Railway Corporation fame who used the Radio programme Alao seki seki to promote the interest of people in traveling by rail. He was followed by Chief Kanu Offonry in 1975  1977 before Chief Bob B.E Ogbuagu  the veteran journalist 1977  1980 turned PR guru, and ended up as the Managing Director of Champion Newspaper of Chief Emmanuel Nwuanyawu  before  Ikhaz Yakubu 1980  1984 stepped into his shoes as president. Chief Akinyele because of his performance in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) where he brought life into PR practice and came into limelight, became president between 1984  1988.

Before his sojourn as NIPR president, activities of the institute were restricted to its southern states. Aleco turned the tables by exposing the image-making profession to the North. His efforts led to the election of a president from northern state in the person of Alhaji Sabo Sarkin Mohammad (A.K.A Sarkin Media) after the reign of Chief Mike Okereke of UAC PR fame like Chief Kunle Ojora before him. Chief Okereke held the position between 1988 and January 1993.

My first encounter with Aleco was when he came to inaugurate Kano State chapter for which I was the first state elected chairman after the caretakership of Mr. Bala Chibok, a PR manager with the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). My relationship with Aleco took a better turn after the chapter played host for a National Council meeting of the institute. The singular occasion made me to meet a very patient and understanding person with human feelings. I had taken my state vice chairman; Alhaji Sabo Sarkin Mohammad with me to the EXCO meeting meant only for states chairmen. The move stood on the nerves of Aleco who ordered the vice to walk out of the meeting. I humbly objected and explained what lay behind my feelings, actions, words and deeds. I stood my ground that my deputy would not be humiliated as a prospective state chairman and even future president of the institute based on his experience as a professional who once worked for BBC, became chief press secretary to the then vice chairman of the National Supreme Military Council, General Shehu Yar’Adua after serving National Newspapers and in the foreign service. Alhaji Sabo was also one time state commissioner for Information. There and then, the council resolved that any state where a non indigene is chairman, the vice should be an indigene vice versa.

I was happy Aleco responded to the overture of peace and unity. He was peaceful, humble and cheerful with all men even as an engineer of consent whom I had read so much about as a veteran journalist turned PR and media consultant before my encounter with him.  We became closer. He knew my other friends and colleagues in PR and the media like Temple Benson, Julius Berger PR adviser; Victor Dorgu of Mid-West Motors PR Manager Fame; Clerson Majomi, Alex Nwokedi of NEPA fame, Chief Segun Osoba of Daily Times and later governor of Ogun State, Oba Akran of Badagry, Isaac Rufus of Guiness stout, Major Adebayo Shitta, Chief Jibode Oyekan, Major Armstrong Ibikunle and Paddy Akwa  all PR gurus. Kano State chapter during his tenure as president won the best organized NIPR in Nigeria with a number of honourary fellowships brought into the institute including late Emir of Kano, Alh. (Dr.) Ado Bayero; Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule  the best Northern Orator and former Federal Minister, Alh. (Dr.) Aminu Dantata, billionaire business tycoon and host of others.

Aleco was fond of Kano and its people. Several visits led to the launching of other state chapters, including Kwara, Kaduna, Borno, Plateau, Niger and Sokoto. After his service in the Customs, he became a full-fledged PR consultant and Director of Cybele Cosmetics Ltd. with Indian partners. The partners later organised another wife after the death of his South African wife; Yuoone. He was always open-minded in any discussion. Aleco arguably may be the last great star of his era whose image shall be difficult to duplicate. With no hidden agenda any where, anytime, he discussed private family life in the open with layers of media hypes which revealed the true features of a unique and remarkable PR man. Under his military president friend, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Aleco at different times served as federal Minister of Information, chairman of National Sports Commission and later as chairman of the National Reconciliation Committee. He was deeply involved in peaceful activities. Aleco was a high chief of Ondo with large heart. He loved choice property, cars, traditional clothes, good wine and food. He was larger than life. The wicked hands of death came like a thief in the night to take him away at 81 years. Aleco shall be greatly missed. He initiated the NIPR Practitioners Decree of 1990, now an act of parliament with the main objective of establishing professionalism and excellence as the hallmark of PR practice in Nigeria.

• Dr. Memaiyetan, FNIPR, writes in via adbizpresspr@yahoo.com